WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) announced she has introduced two bills to protect and strengthen water resources in Michigan and across the country. The Water Reservoir Transparency Act–introduced alongside Congresswoman Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13)–would require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to assess how new commercial and industrial users are impacting water reservoirs. As data centers come online in Michigan and across the country, understanding associated impacts to the nation’s water reservoirs is critical to smart water resources planning.
Congresswoman Scholten also introduced the Clean Ports for Commerce Act, which would require the USACE to engage in advanced planning for dredging in areas with known PFAS contamination. PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are widespread contaminants in drinking water, soil, and food. Congresswoman Scholten developed this bill after the Grand Haven Inner Harbor almost missed a dredging cycle due to a lack of advanced planning, and Congresswoman Scholten advocated for a compromise to ensure that the dredging project safely proceeded on time.
“Water is a way of life in West Michigan; it is crucial that we are proactive in protecting this vital resource,” said Congresswoman Scholten. “As more data centers come online and put new pressure on our reservoirs, and as the lessons from Grand Haven made clear, the Army Corps can’t keep operating with outdated planning processes. These bills make sure the Corps is looking ahead and planning operations in places where we know contamination is or will be a factor. We can build a smarter, more transparent system, and these bills get us there.”
“As Ohio continues to attract new investment and create jobs, we must also protect the water resources that our communities depend on every day. This legislation will help us better understand how new industrial growth affects our water supply so we can make informed decisions that support both economic opportunity and long-term sustainability,” said Congresswoman Sykes.
These bills reflect Congresswoman Scholten’s ongoing work on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to strengthen water resources and advance environmental resilience in communities in Michigan and across the country.
Comments